Labour outcome for women following successful external cephalic version (ECV) was evaluated in a prospective case control study. ECV was successfully performed on 93 women in a dedicated ECV clinic at St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth between 2004 and 2006. In the study group, 50% (n = 93) of women had a successful ECV. There were 103 women in the control group. There was no significant difference in the rate of instrumental deliveries between the study and the control groups. The rate for caesarean section was higher in the ECV group (18.2, n = 93) compared with the control group (7.7, n = 103; p < 0.028). When compared with the control group, the study group had a higher epidural rate (p < 0.016), oxytocin augmentation (p < 0.001), induction of labour rate (p < 0.009), electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) (p < 0.0001), abnormal fetal heart rate (p < 0.014) and birth in main unit (p < 0.001). Our data provide useful guidance to women undergoing ECV.